RWJBarnabas Health Commemorates National Emergency Medical Services Week (May 19-25, 2024)

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of EMS Week.

West Orange, N.J., May 22, 2024 — RWJBarnabas Health commemorates National EMS Week 2024, starting May 19, and recognizes and salutes all the dedicated emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners throughout New Jersey. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future.”

As the largest EMS program in the state, primarily responsible for 38 percent of the state’s population, RWJBarnabas Health’s Mobile Health service has 1,700 emergency medical technicians (EMT), paramedics, and dispatchers in 10 counties and 23 municipalities and counting from Belleville to Toms River. Mobile Health handles 225,000 emergency medical response assignments annually, with a fleet of 300 vehicles, including a helicopter and 40 EMS stations.

The RWJBarnabas Health system is unique in its ability to meet the entire chain of survival, as well as its geography (1,280 sq miles) and covered lives (3.3 – 3.4 million people).

“Our comprehensive EMS team provides high-quality, patient-centered care to all our communities 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, no matter the emergency. What makes them truly remarkable is their resilience, dedication, and professionalism in what is often challenging and unique environments that come with serving a diverse cross-section of New Jersey, from inner cities to suburban and rural areas,” said James F. Smith, Vice President, Mobile Health, RWJBarnabas Health.

Mobile Health’s air medical program, which launched in 2019, significantly enhances the healthcare system’s capabilities. It facilitates the rapid transport of critically ill patients across New Jersey, ensuring timely access to essential interventions and seamlessly integrates with the existing pre-hospital system. When time is critical — especially for patients suffering from severe burns requiring treatment at The Burn Center of NJ, stroke victims, or individuals experiencing heart attacks and traumas — swift intervention becomes their best chance at recovery.

The impact of such rapid, specialized care can be profound, as expressed by a seasoned EMS professional: “For 40 years, EMS has provided me the unique opportunity to care for people in their most vulnerable moments. It’s a privilege to offer not just medical skills but also support during a very difficult time,” said Charles Livezey, a Mobile Health and Southern Region paramedic.

Livezey first became involved in EMS as a cadet at age 16 on the Englishtown Manalapan First Aid Squad. His father had served as captain over the years as well as chief of the local fire department. “I grew up around EMS. … The most important basic thing to remember is to treat everyone with respect, patience, and understanding. Remember that the person who calls for help may be experiencing the worst moments of their lives,. They also don’t get the ability to choose who their responders will be during their time of need.”

About Mobile Health

Mobile Health is home to the state’s largest EMS program, present in ten counties, handling 225,000 emergency medical response assignments annually, with a fleet of 300 vehicles including a helicopter and 40 EMS stations, with primary responsibility for 38 percent the state’s population.  The EMS Training and Education Center, the largest provider of emergency medical education in New Jersey, serves over 20,000 community members. Mobile Health has eight EMT school locations, teaching approximately 800 students annually and two accredited Paramedic school locations.

ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH

RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville; Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth; three acute care children’s hospitals; Children’s Specialized Hospital, including a network of outpatient centers; a behavioral health center and the state’s largest behavioral health network; two trauma centers; a satellite emergency department; ambulatory care centers; geriatric centers; comprehensive home care and hospice programs; fitness and wellness centers; retail pharmacy services; an affiliated medical group; multi-site imaging centers; and two accountable care organizations.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 41,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers University, is New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research, and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.